Mapleton Daze is here and organizers have been working hard to create a fun-filled five days. Events kick off tonight, Wednesday, June 22, 2016, with a bike rodeo at 6 p.m. in the Mapleton Elementary School parking lot. Participants should bring their own bicycles. Those attending will learn some bike safety tips and kids can practice their new skills on a course sponsored by the Bike Coalition of Maine and Bike, Board and Ski. The coalition will also give away free helmets.
From 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Wendell Hudson and Friends will entertain at the Lions’ Hall.
The annual Woodie Waddell Memorial Cribbage Tournament will be held on Thursday, June 23, downstairs at the Lions’ Hall starting at 7 p.m. Players should bring a board and cards, if possible. At the same time, Bingo will be held upstairs.
Friday’s events start at 5 p.m. with the Lions’ chicken barbecue supper. Takeout will be available and other food vendors will be on hand. The Mapleton United Methodist Women will serve pie and coffee. Don’t wait until the last minute, or they might run out. Homemade ice cream will be sold by the Mapleton Baptist Youth Group and the Northern Maine Tractor Association will have a display at the school.
The annual fireworks display will be at 9 p.m. and 3D glasses will be sold by the Mapleton Baptist Youth Group. In the event of rain, the activities will be moved to the Lions Hall and the fireworks show will be at the same time on Saturday.
A “breakfast with a view” hike to the top of Haystack Mountain will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 25. Breakfast will be enjoyed at the top sponsored by ACAP Healthy Aroostook. The popular parade will begin at 10 a.m. Participants should line up on the Dudley Road at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in various categories.
The bike parade will start at the Pool Road and participants should be at the end of the Pool Road by 9:30. Ribbons will be awarded for best decorated bike/trike/stroller/wagon in four age categories: strollers/wagons age 2 and under; and bikes ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. This event is sponsored by Mojo. For more information, call Deana Easler at 227-6128.
The Haystack Historical Society Museum will be open Saturday from 10-2. Members will have a raffle for a handmade Victorian birdhouse to be drawn in September. Tickets can be purchased at the museum. The Society will also have homemade pie and ice cream on sale, along with free coffee.
Jim’s Automotive will sponsor a Shine ‘n Show Classic Car Show in the Mapleton Baptist Church parking lot on Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Door prizes will be given throughout the show. All participants may enjoy a free barbecue.
Activities at the school start at 11 a.m. on Saturday and will include a children’s sandbox, bounce house, games, clowns, dunking booth, food and craft vendors and the haystack toy hunt. Once again, bikes and a wagon have been donated by local businesses and a raffle will be held at 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery (C.A.N.C.E.R.) will host a baked bean supper at the Lions Hall. Donations will be accepted at the door.
Saturday’s events will be capped off with the annual Mapleton alumni banquet at 6:30 p.m. at the Elementary School and a dance featuring DRD Entertainment at the Lions’ Hall from 7-10 p.m. In the event of rain, those events that can be moved to the Lions’ Hall will be.
Wendell Hudson will host a Sunrise Service at the gazebo Sunday at 7 a.m. The rain location will be inside the Lions’ Hall. The Jerry Dow and Merlyn Buck 20th annual memorial get-together is planned at 9 a.m. For more information, call Linda Hubbard at 227-9317.
The first annual Mapleton Daze 5K run/walk will be held at 10 a.m. This event is sponsored by Hedrich Vending and participants will meet at the Mapleton Elementary School parking lot. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
Road Closure
The Mapleton Road (Route 163) will be closed for the Mapleton Daze Parade on Saturday, June 25th at 10:00 am for approximately one hour. The road will be closed from Dudley Road to the Mapleton Elementary School. Eastbound traffic may detour in Ashland to Route 227. Westbound traffic may detour on Garland Road north to Route 227.
Birthdays
Happy birthday wishes this week to Stephanie Stephenson, Penny Robinson, Angela Boucher, Angelie Thompson, Keith Doyen, Tyus Ambrose, Allen Brown, Danna Beaulieu, John Dougherty, Ashley Christie, Oliva Keep, Matt Carney and Julie-Ane Brown.
Anniversaries
Happy anniversary wishes this week to Ethan and Deidre Braley; Dan and Nancy Charette and Lee and Jackie Putnam on the 22nd; Gedeon and Debbie Martin, Charles II and Anita Currier on the 21st; and Mike and Betty Ireland on the 27th.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 760-9115 or at jbuzza@ainop.com.
